Accused killer in British soldier hacking calls himself 'soldier of Allah' in police interviews

Drummer Lee Rigby, of the British Army's 2nd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, is seen in an undated photo released May 23, 2013. (Reuters/Ministry of Defence/Crown Copyright)

One of the accused killers in the hacking death of British soldier Lee Rigby told police there was a war taking place between Muslims and the British people, a U.K. court heard.

Michael Adebolajo, 28, is accused of hacking Rigby to death with a meat cleaver and knives on May 22 in London.

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Michael Adebowale, 22, is also on trial in Rigby's murder.

According to The Telegraph, in police interviews played to a jury, Adebolajo told officers, "He was struck in the neck with a sharp implement and it was sawed until his head, you know, almost detached and may Allah forgive me if I acted in a way that is displeasing to him."

He told officers the act brought him "little joy" and that he is a "soldier of Allah."

Adebolajo also called British leaders "wicked, corrupt, selfish and oppressive" and deemed paying tribute to soldiers killed in Afghanistan "a disgusting practice," The Telegraph reported.

The suspect reportedly told officials that he is ashamed of being British when it is associated with "murder, pillage and rape" by soldiers abroad and that it makes it difficult for him to sleep.